“Messi had already made up his mind”: Leandro Paredes drops a bombshell about the Argentine No. 10's international future

Paredes admits Lionel Messi may have already decided his Argentina future after the 2026 World Cup, while teammates continue hoping the captain extends his legendary international career

Lionel Messi's international future remains one of the biggest questions in world soccer following Argentina's defeat in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, and teammate Leandro Paredes has now suggested that the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner may have already reached a decision.

Speaking in an interview shared by Sport Daily on X, the veteran midfielder acknowledged that Messi could have already determined what comes next for his international career, even if the rest of the Argentina squad is hoping he continues wearing the national team's colors.

"I think he had already made the decision. I hope that's not the case, and I hope he continues playing, but the decision is his. Whatever makes him happy will make us happy too," Paredes said in an interview posted by Sport Daily on Twitter.

The comments immediately fueled speculation about whether the 39-year-old captain has played his final match for Argentina after another remarkable World Cup campaign.

Although Messi has not publicly confirmed any retirement plans, his future has been the subject of constant discussion since the tournament concluded.

Having already won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, multiple Copa América titles and nearly every major individual honor available, there is little left for the Inter Miami superstar to accomplish on the international stage.

Still, many within Argentina's squad have expressed hope that Messi will continue at least through upcoming World Cup qualifiers and potentially defend the country's Copa América title.

Throughout the 2026 tournament, Messi once again demonstrated why he remains one of soccer's defining figures.

He finished among the competition's leading scorers while also creating numerous goals for teammates, helping guide Argentina back to another World Cup final.

Argentina now faces life after another historic Messi tournament

Whether Messi retires or continues playing, Argentina appears to be entering a period of transition.

Manager Lionel Scaloni has gradually introduced younger stars into the national team over recent years, with players such as Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and Alejandro Garnacho expected to remain key pieces for years to come.

Even so, replacing Messi's influence on and off the field will be an enormous challenge.

Paredes has spent much of Messi's international career alongside him and understands better than most what the captain means to the dressing room.

The Roma midfielder emphasized that while teammates naturally want Messi to continue, they ultimately respect that the decision belongs entirely to him.

His remarks also reflect the close relationship shared by Argentina's veteran core, many of whom helped deliver the country's first World Cup title in 36 years before returning to another final four years later.

Since making his senior debut in 2005, Messi has rewritten virtually every major record in Argentine football.

He became the nation's all-time leading scorer and appearance holder while captaining the Albiceleste to triumphs at the 2021 and 2024 Copa América tournaments, the 2022 Finalissima and the unforgettable World Cup victory in Qatar.

Following the 2022 title, Messi initially hinted that he wanted to continue representing Argentina rather than retire immediately after achieving his lifelong dream.

That decision allowed him to help the team capture additional silverware before leading another deep World Cup run in 2026.

For now, however, his next move remains uncertain.

Paredes' comments suggest Messi may already know what he wants to do, even if he has not yet shared that decision publicly.

Until the Argentine captain addresses his future himself, fans around the world will continue waiting to learn whether one of the greatest international careers in football history has officially come to an end, or if there is still one more chapter left to write.